The latest in the series of Saturday morning conversation starters from Terra Cognita The Fallacy of Exchange in Scientology Ron Hubbard’s theory of exchange is not only a central component of Scientology financial policy but is a pervasive consideration in just about every aspect of a Scientologist’s life. Members are taught early-on that being “in-exchange,” is imperative. That what they give must be commensurate with what they receive. Giving more than one receives—“exchange in abundance”—is even better. Giving less than one receives—“out-exchange”—is an overt—a misdeed, a moral transgress … [Read more...]
Search Results for: Miscavige
Thursday Funnies
This represents expansion as a being? Words and pictures total disconnect. Rounding them up... Not enough people to generate even a small crowd in "mighty" My Mammy, so they will fly them in. Think about that -- investing $40 million for a new facility even though they cannot scrape together a thousand people to attend the opening. Rocketship? Yep. Everyone. Should amount to 1500 total for the entire US... Blast from the past Wow - Kevin was a Sea Org member in the mid 70's at Flag... That's some serious progress up the Bridge in 40 … [Read more...]
Scientology Clearwater Hissy Fit
The Tampa NBC affiliate website covers the latest news in the Scientology v. Clearwater war of 2017. Here is how the article begins: CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Church of Scientology has declared an economic war on Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the stakes are high — $26 million in tourism tax funding that the church wants to block at Tuesday’s Pinellas County Commission meeting. The church’s anger stems from a land purchase dispute involving a dirt parking lot next to Clearwater City Hall. The aquarium recently defied the church by selling that land to the City of Clearwater on April 20 … [Read more...]
The Illusion of Self-determinism in Scientology
Weekly Saturday feature from Terra Cognita The Illusion of Self-determinism in Scientology Self-determinism is a highly touted state of being in Scientology. Being self-determined is a goal of every Scientologist. “Other-determinedness”: not good. Deciding for oneself: good. “Self-determinism is that state of being wherein the individual can or cannot be controlled by his environment according to his own choice. In that state the individual has self-confidence in his control of the material universe and the organisms within it along every dynamic. He is confident about any and all abili … [Read more...]
Doomsday Demographics
Another in the weekly series from our old friend Terra Cognita. Doomsday Demographics With the exception of a couple of old-timers, everyone in my bustling Scientology mission back in the day was in their late teens and early twenties. Now? The demographics have completely flipped. Everyone’s grown old; most are in their sixty’s or seventy’s; a smattering of thirty-something, second-generation staff round out the ranks. From what I can tell from all the pictures of Scientologists in magazines and promo pieces, this trend has spread worldwide. Ideal orgs have done nothing to reverse this up … [Read more...]
Religious Graveyard
Our weekly installment of wisdom and thought/argument provoking from Terra Cognita. The Religious Graveyard Once religions reach a tipping point, they’re hard to close down. After accumulating thousands of well-to-do followers, amassing a fortune in real estate, accruing Midas-like money, and establishing a worldwide presence, religions are damn hard to get rid of. Not only has too much been invested in the physical infrastructure, its faithful have devoted too much of their spiritual lives to let go. The written word is more resilient than we mere mortals. Organizations can be d … [Read more...]
The “LRH Hall”
The L. Ron Hubbard Hall will be "opening soon" as announced by David Miscavige in December 2014. It is absolutely amazing how they can keep coming up with new ways to bamboozle the sheeple into handing over money. Predictably, this "L. Ron Hubbard Hall" is going to be one of the harder pitches to make. Apart from its name, it has NOTHING to do with L. Ron Hubbard. It is simply a forum for David Miscavige to hold his events instead of Ruth Eckerd Hall (the same 2300 seat venue they have been using for 20 years or more despite their "unprecedented growth"). This is even less appealing than … [Read more...]
ASL Talks Clearwater Redevelopment
My good friend Aaron Smith-Levin presents a well-reasoned explanation of what is going on in Clearwater based on his considerable experience and knowledge. While specific to the situation in Clearwater he offers some interesting insight into the "think" that drives scientology through the actions and directives of David Miscavige. I have not had time to comment very extensively on this subject of late. I had started but have not completed my own blog post focused on the consummate salesmanship skills of Miscavige - selling what is good for Miscavige to many smarter, more savvy people than t … [Read more...]
Scientology and Reason
Another article from our old friend Terra Cognita Scientology and Reason – or Reasonableness Another big Scientology catchword is “reasonableness.” Loosely defined, reasonableness is the condition of being reasonable—which on the surface, seems like a good trait. To reason means to think logically; to form conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises; to conclude or infer. According to Random House, the word reasonable means, “in accord with reason or sound judgement; logical; capable of rational behavior, decision, etc.” LRH put his own spin on the word. From the Scie … [Read more...]
The Sad Tale of Santa Barbara Org
Oh dear, the spin doctors have spun themselves into a complete dizzy mess. Remember when the big pitch was that Valley Org was the last, missing link to clearing all of SoCal? Well, before the ribbon was even yanked, there is now something else that is needed. MORE MONEY for the "last" (and "new"?) ideal org -- the most northern southern California org. What a surprise. Clearing is going to have to wait a little longer. But if you think about this for a second, what they are really pitching here is the Great News that Santa Barbara will no longer have any org at all. But V … [Read more...]